Cities crack down on homeless encampments. Advocates say that’s not the answer

On a summer morning, Will Taylor, alongside friends, dismantled their temporary homes on a Portland side street, loading tent poles, blankets, and a duffel bag into a shopping cart and wagons. This dismantling, under city contractors’ orders, was a familiar routine for Taylor, who had experienced similar situations at least three times during his four years of homelessness.

The city of Portland, addressing the visible issue of homeless encampments, had dispatched contractors to remove these settlements. On that July day, more than a dozen encampments were cleared, with residents given just an hour to vacate. Items left behind were tagged and sent to a large storage facility.

This incident highlights the broader challenge facing many U.S. cities. Homeless encampments, once more confined to West Coast cities, are now a nationwide issue. The rise in homelessness, fueled by affordable housing shortages, economic impacts of the pandemic, and limited access to mental health and addiction services, has led to an increase in such settlements.

Data from The Big Big News indicates that efforts to clear these encampments have intensified across various cities, from Los Angeles to New York. Despite significant financial investments, the persistence of these tent communities on sidewalks, parks, and near highways is evident.

Homeless individuals and their advocates argue that these removals are inhumane and inefficient, advocating for more housing solutions rather than enforcement actions. However, city officials are under increasing pressure to address what is often perceived as dangerous and unsanitary conditions.

Records show that the frequency of encampment sweeps has risen sharply in cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis. Yet, even cities that lack specific data acknowledge the growing challenge of public camping.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has criticized these actions as criminalizing homelessness, arguing that they perpetuate poverty cycles without addressing the underlying crisis. Legal challenges have been mounted in several cities, including Minneapolis, Miami, and Boulder, Colorado.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, representing a state with a significant homeless population, has called for a Supreme Court review of a 9th Circuit appellate court ruling. This ruling restricts local governments from clearing encampments without offering indoor shelter alternatives.

In Denver, recent encampment clearances involved erecting fences and police intervention. Residents like David Sjoberg express the dehumanizing aspect of these sweeps, feeling treated like refuse.

Efforts to address homelessness in cities like San Francisco involve multi-agency coordination, aiming to offer housing and services. Yet, challenges persist, including resistance from some homeless individuals to accept shelter due to various concerns.

Costs associated with encampment removals are substantial, yet the impact on the visibility and magnitude of homelessness appears limited. In cities like Los Angeles, responses to public requests for encampment interventions have doubled, indicating the scale of the issue.

Despite these efforts, the problem persists, with individuals like Roxanne Simonson in Portland experiencing repeated displacements and the associated trauma. Cities face the dilemma of addressing public concerns while grappling with the ethical and practical challenges of homelessness.

The complexity of the issue is evident in the diverse experiences and perspectives of those involved – from city officials and contractors to the homeless individuals themselves, each grappling with the realities of a persistent and multifaceted social challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Homeless Encampments

More about Homeless Encampments

• The Big Big News: The source for data regarding the increase in encampment clearances in U.S. cities.
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Information about the ACLU’s legal challenges against encampment sweeps in multiple cities.
• Gavin Newsom’s Statement: Governor Gavin Newsom’s statement advocating for a Supreme Court review of encampment clearance rulings.
• Comptroller Brad Lander’s Report: Comptroller Brad Lander’s report on encampment sweeps in New York City.
• San Francisco Department of Emergency Management: Details about San Francisco’s efforts to address homelessness and encampments.
• Hennepin County’s Office to End Homelessness: Information about Hennepin County’s housing-focused approach to homelessness in Minneapolis.
• Portland Mayor’s Office: Information about Portland’s efforts to clear encampments and address homelessness.
• Los Angeles Sanitation Department: Insights into the response to encampment requests in Los Angeles.